So long roster, hopefully Roger can do it again
I don’t think next year is a total rebuild. Don’t be surprised if we have 50% or higher retention from the guys who have remaining eligibility. Valpo is in a different spot today than they were even a year ago. We have a group of guys that are different from last year’s team. There is a good chance we keep a good core, and I’m not just saying this either.
I think you have a lot more buy in from the team this year than in years past. These guys. Blessing in disguise for not making the semis if you want to call it. Being on ESPN+ rather than National TV means a lot less eyes on the players by other programs.
There are a few players I can 100% see leaving, but with the 2mil+ in fund age via philanthropy, Powell has a decent nest egg built for some retention efforts. If yiou asked me a week ago if we could keep some of these guys around my answer would be no, but money talks. May be easier to retain some of this talent with the crowds coming back and obvious investment in the program increasing.
My question is...do you drop a lot of the Excellence fund at once on a single player, or do you spread it out over the course of a few years?
Tough ending to a good season. I'm curious if we can keep the team together for a CBI run. The crazy NLI/Transfer Portal season will begin soon for us.
I've not been able to post as much this season as I'd have liked, but what a really enjoyable season. As someone who entered this season with real doubts about the direction of the program, I could not have been more wrong. Really impressive stuff from Coach Powell and his staff.
Now, the hard part comes. If Valpo can keep a good chunk of this group together, you start to look at next year as a season that could be special. It's nearly impossible for mid-majors to do in this era, but I hope it can happen. For the first time since 2020's Arch Madness, it feels like Valpo is headed in the right direction. Hail Crusaders!
A lot of good comments about the future. Just wanted to emphasize that Kobe Walker will definitely be a rotational player next year. Great kid, works his ass off, has completely transformed his body in the weight room. Retention remains the biggest key. These next few weeks will be huge.
Walker at 6'9" 270 always sounded interesting. Was he too slow of a payoff project for Illinois St and Bradley? It would be great to take him back to Normal for some Smiley like homecoming performances.A lot of good comments about the future. Just wanted to emphasize that Kobe Walker will definitely be a rotational player next year. Great kid, works his ass off, has completely transformed his body in the weight room. Retention remains the biggest key. These next few weeks will be huge.
@mj08 Thanks for sharing that link. Ticket sales and renewals should be up with those three joining Coach.
The team was better this season but a lot of that had to do with the development of one player in Pettigrew who became a dominant player. The team actually went further in Arch Madness last season so there was no improvement there. The league itself was very evenly matched as it seemed that everyone was 12-8 in the conference with the exception of two teams which are unlikely to be looking at this season as a success since they got knocked out early.
I strongly doubt Pettigrew is back. This means a player who is a focal point needs to be either brought in or steps forward. I don't see that guy on the roster and I'm not sure how that type of player ends up on the roster otherwise. I don't think any of the incoming freshman fall into that category.
Let's hope for the best.
Just got home from the arch-first time. Had a ball. Hi five to Brian F. Optimism abounds.
I've not been able to post as much this season as I'd have liked, but what a really enjoyable season. As someone who entered this season with real doubts about the direction of the program, I could not have been more wrong. Really impressive stuff from Coach Powell and his staff.
Now, the hard part comes. If Valpo can keep a good chunk of this group together, you start to look at next year as a season that could be special. It's nearly impossible for mid-majors to do in this era, but I hope it can happen. For the first time since 2020's Arch Madness, it feels like Valpo is headed in the right direction. Hail Crusaders!
may be just me but saying things like “Hail Crusaders “ would seem like you may be, just a guess, perhaps, stuck in the past? Valpo is moving forward! Not going backward!
Pettigrew was indeed a big part of the programs success, but the reasons go much deeper than just JT. Roger brought in maturity and leadership which JT has pointed to in several interviews. Principal among the leadership was Brody Whitaker. Getting him was genius. A scorer when needed, a mature leader as well as a calming factor.
@vu72 — you are debating with a guy who calls himself “crusaders forever.” The ship of forward-thinking has sailed.
